Long, long ago, a bright and energetic girl was born to a farmer and his wife. This couple loved each other very much. So, when they were blessed with a baby girl, they rejoiced greatly at such a blessing.
Unfortunately, the year before the birth of their baby, their crop was ruined by heavy rain that came at the wrong time of planting and harvesting. Thus, they were struggling to survive. Yet, the baby brought such joy to the couple. She laughed often and her smile seemed to ease the difficulties faced by the couple. They named her Yuansiao. She grew to be a beautiful lady.
One day, the Emperor passed through their village and saw this fair and happy maiden. As the Emperor had a daughter who was prone to tantrum fits, he decided to ask the couple to give their daughter to be a friend to his daughter, hoping that Yuansiao could have a positive influence upon his daughter. The couple could not refuse the Emperor, although they were heartbroken to say goodbye to their beloved daughter.
ILLUSTRATIONS: COURTESY OF EXPLORER PUBLICATIONS
(To be continued tomorrow...)
很久很久以前，有位農夫和老婆生了一個聰明又活潑的女孩，這對夫妻十分相愛，所以當他們喜獲明珠時，欣喜若狂。不幸的是，女孩出生前一年，他們的農作物被不該在耕種和收穫期降下的大雨給打壞了，所以生活很困苦。不過女孩帶給他們歡樂，她常笑，而她的微笑似乎減輕了他們的困境，他們將她取名為元宵。而她長大後成為一位美麗的女子。
有一天，皇帝經過他們村子時看見這位美麗開朗的少女，因為皇帝有一位易怒的公主，便決定要求他們將女兒送給公主做朋友，希望元宵能對公主有些正面的影響。這對夫妻沒辦法拒絕皇帝，只好心碎地向摯愛的女兒道別。
ILLUSTRATIONS: COURTESY OF EXPLORER PUBLICATIONS
(明日待續...)
8. tantrum n. — a bad temper, a behavior often characterized by yelling, screaming and kicking 發怒 (fa1 nu4) 例: Do not pay attention to that child when he has a tantrum. (那個小孩發脾氣時別太去管他。) 9. fit n. — a sudden expression of anger, usually over a situation that one is not pleased about 發作 (fa1 zuo4) 例: She had a fit when her wedding dress didn’t arrive on time. (新娘禮服未準時送達讓她大發雷霆。) 10. heartbroken adj. — having intense feelings of sorrow and sadness 心碎的 (xin1 sui4 de5) 例: After saying goodbye to her boyfriend at the airport, my heartbroken sister went shopping to help herself feel better. (我那心碎的姊妹在機場和男友道別後，便上街血拼讓自己覺得好過些。)
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